Gasping chick

[Grey Gables]

What kind of bedding material are you using? If this one dies, I think it’s best to send the body off to be tested, it’s the best way to know 100%. I also suggest that any birds that have came into contact or have been potentially exposed with these chicks, should be separated ASAP in case it’s a respiratory disease. I also suggest that you don’t breed from these chicks until you get testing done, a very common respiratory disease called Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG), is THE MOST common respiratory disease out there and it can passed via the eggs from the infected parents.

So yea, get testing done as soon as possible!

Hi, I have always started my chicks on puppy pee pads (sometimes lined with paper towels). Then after a few weeks, start introducing bedding (hemp). When I started seeing some of the symptoms I removed the bedding JUST IN CASE it was the problem, although I don't think it was... as I'm using the same bedding for my grown flock with no issues (from the same exact batch/bag). If it WAS the issue though, I guess chicks have a much more susceptible immune system than a grown chicken. I have kept these new chicks on puppy pee pads until yesterday -- they're about 3.5 weeks old. I added some pine flakes this time.

I know it's not going to guarantee anything but my chicks have all come from an NPIP certified breeder. I've stayed in contact with her throughout this and there was only one other reported case to her where there were possible respiratory issues in some young chicks (out of 100+ she's sold this spring).

I don't breed any of my chickens, so no worries there. They are simply for eggs and are treated as pets. I've also been careful to not cross contaminate my new chicks or the grown flock with one another throughout -- attempting lots of biosecurity measures.

Thank you for your input!